Pastoral Team

As I sit here on my computer, I cannot help but think about what the future holds for me. The thought of becoming a father for the first time this coming January is still something I cannot wrap my mind around. It all seems so surreal. My life will change in a new way, and suddenly the focus, the attention will all be on our new baby boy, and rightly so. Suddenly this tiny life becomes the center of my attention. That means that sometimes my own wants and desires need to take a back seat. The thought of it makes me realize just how selfish I can be at times.

If I am brutally honest with myself, who/what does my world revolve around? What is at the center of my universe? If I look at how I spend my time, why I act the way I do, so often my motivations are misplaced and based on my own self interest.

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Twelve years ago this month, I arrived on these shores with my family.  I arrived tired, excited and wondering as to what the future would bring.  What I knew with great certainty was that our lives would change.  I don’t think I had a clue as to how much they would change!

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… is, in a way, what it feels like having finished only three houses when we look around at the immensity of the work that the Body of Christ still has to do in the world, and in Ensenada. But then, at the end of the day today, after cleaning brushes, mud pans, taping knives, and sorting tools in order to get ready to leave one of the sites that had become so familiar over the past week, we lingered a bit before gathering to pray. And as we did, two of the guys came carrying a refrigerator up the newly built stairs and stoop into the freshly painted home - with a kitchen stove soon to follow. On another site bunk-beds were built and mattresses laid in them; and at yet another, shelves were installed and housewarming gifts showered upon the family.

It was then that it began to hit each one of us: another week of our lives had flashed before our eyes. But in so many ways this had truly been a week like absolutely no other. Suddenly - as teams gathered out front of the finished homes to hold hands with each other and with the families to pray for them - every small thing God had collectively done through us no longer seemed like a drop in the bucket of insurmountable needs. Instead, it was crystal clear that we had planted powerful seeds in the richly fertile soil of many hearts, and that our faithful God would not only send others after us to continue to water those seeds - He Himself would be the very source of Power and Light that would generate and sustain the growth of those seeds.

Here’s a question: If you knew, for an absolute certainty, that a small seed of eternally sustained Life could be planted in someone’s heart because of a few short days of help on your part, would you make the sacrifice? A small thing to ask considering all that we’ve been given. But if you say yes, that you absolutely would, then when? At least for all of us, to hold the tender hands of those receiving their new homes, and to peer into their tear filled eyes, we know without a doubt that the time is now. It is simply always now. And after a week such as this, that is how we will live our lives from here on out - offering our ordinary everyday lives to Jesus in such a way that it will demand an explanation.

A drop in the bucket? For some, it may seem so. But not for our God. With Him, ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE.

Everyone looks tired today.  We had another very productive day.  Every house has a roof, sheetrock hung, first coat of mud, and electrical wiring.  Tomorrow will be a mad dash to get the interior of the houses painted, wrap up final touches, and to put some house warming gifts for the families in the homes.

As some of you may know, Stephen Lythe had an infection in one of his teeth.  Early in the week, it was becoming more evident - literally by the hour - that the situation was worsening as his left eye, cheek and face became increasingly swollen.  The entire group gathered around him, prayed and anointed him with oil.  We also asked you all back home to join us in our prayers.  Stephen went to the dentist shortly after we prayed.  The plan was to for the dentist to lance the abscess so that it would drain and reduce the swelling and infection. He returned a few hours later praising God that after careful examination the infection - the dentist told him - had already begun draining on its own!

There have just been so many inexplicable miracles in our midst - the greatest of these being the gift of relationships God has given us to these brothers and sisters in Christ here.

Click Below for pics

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4/5

Day 6

Today was another hot one!  We started our day with a drive to “La Bufadora” which is about a 20 minute drive from where we are staying.  It’s the second largest blowhole in the world.  The change of pace was nice but some were anxious to get back to their sites and continue work on the houses.

All three sites are moving along well.  Hanging the rest of the sheetrock  and putting the first coat of mud on was the order of the day.

We have all been so touched by listening to the testimonies others in the group have been sharing already about how God has been using us and speaking to us. Although we realize that what we are doing is just a drop in the bucket, these are but a few more seeds planted in His name - God Himself will be faithful in seeing that those seeds grow into something glorious.

Click Below For More Pics:

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4/5

mi familia y yo serviremos al senor” (Joshua 24:15), the theme passage for this year’s VBS, could be heard on the lips of the children and the families we are building for. What else can be said except how truly incredible it is to see the project grow and take shape, as our teams mesh so beautifully, and share so much joy with our Mexican friends. Working with the children, April Petersen shares how a little girl spontaneously approached and embraced her; others took her by the hand, asking her to play jumprope. “It didn’t matter that there was a language barrier. The children don’t care about that. They just want someone to spend time with them.” Receiving their trust and affection seems to be equally as moving for us as it is meaningful for them. So seeing four walls and a roof on each of our houses at this point, although deeply fulfilling, cannot compare to the depth of the experiences we have had sharing Jesus’ love.

It was a hot one today. For many of us, our first day on the job site. There is no doubt that God’s Spirit was with us. It was truly encouraging to see the unity - the flow among us throughout the day, whether we were organizing, hammering nails, painting, assisting - each member of the body did their part. After starting our day with an hour of morning prayer and a hearty breakfast, we were all ready and willing to work hard - with a common focus on relationships to the people we’re serving and to one another. Upon seeing four walls up at quitting time, we could all say it was by His strength that we accomplished the real work He had for us - not the buildings, as much as talking with the people, laughing and working with the kids and serving one another. This was our accomplishment. Muy caliente is Spanish for “very hot” - such is the flame of Christ that burns in our hearts for the people here, that unmistakeably, bright light of God’s love. Oh, yeah, and of course the hot Mexican sun ; )   Pastor Matthew signing off till tomorrow.

most the final blogs and videos are up on www.LHCyouth.com.  want to see how the week ended? check it out!

Although we are fairly wiped, our minds and hearts are already full of first impressions. The trip itself was smooth; transferring baggage to Rick’s trailer and making our way down Interstate 5 toward the border all was pleasantly uneventful. The contrast from San Diego to Mexico upon crossing the border was stark: signs in Spanish, countryside peppered with the juxtaposition of unfinished homes and massive resorts, the sight of the beautiful blue Pacific, enormous red/green/white Mexican flags, right up to our first gathering for barbeque chicken at the “second floor” meeting place on site are all fresh in our minds. We felt secure at the sight of military presence here and there - “Which is a good thing,” Rick reminded us. We are looking forward to “shining like stars” during our time here, and bringing glory to the Lord’s name through our relationships to our neighbors.

Curious about what’s happening this week in Mexico while LHCyouth is there?

we try to update once or twice a day:)

check it out here! LHCyouth

it’ll also help in prep for the team coming down next week…you’ll really be able to pray specifically for them knowing what’s going now~